1. What accommodations are available to students with disabilities?
1. What accommodations are available to students with disabilities?
Students may utilize the following accommodations depending upon the nature of their disability and how it affects them in the educational environment: test accommodations, readers, scribes, adaptive technology, taping lectures, note takers, taped textbooks, specialized academic advisement, tutoring, study skills support, part-time study and sign language interpreters. Other accommodations may be necessary based upon a student's individual needs and documentation provided.
2. Can I receive tutoring at Northampton?
Subject area tutoring is available to all students through the Learning Center, located in the College Center, Rm. 315. Tutoring at the Monroe Campus is available. Students with disabilities can access this free tutoring also. Both reading/writing and math support is also available.
In addition, Disability Services staff will work with students on an individual basis to provide study skills support, reading strategies, test preparation support and writing support and advocacy skills. Students are encouraged to meet with staff on a regular basis to access this support.
3. How will my professors know about my disability and accommodations?
At the start of every semester, students must meet with their Disability Services Specialist to discuss reasonable accommodations and complete their individual Accommodations Profile. Using this Profile, the student must then talk to their professors and make arrangements for needed accommodations. Disability Services staff are available to support students with this process.
4. I was in "special ed" in high school. Can I be in "special ed" at Northampton?
No. NCC provides support and accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are enrolled in the same courses as other NCC students and must meet the same academic standards as all other students. In other words, students are guaranteed access to the educational environment but are not guaranteed success.
5. Is there a deadline to receive services?
No, there is no deadline to receive support and reasonable accommodations. As soon as students have provided the necessary documentation and have interviewed with a member of the Disability Services staff, they are eligible for services.
However, students have a responsibility to make their request for services in a timely manner. For example, students who require the services of a sign language interpreter are encouraged to make this request by late June for a Fall semester class.
6. How do I pick my classes?
Students can attend a New Student Orientation and meet with a program advisor at that time or meet with a "walk-in" advisor before classes begin. However, because a successful balance of the type and number of courses is often critical to the success of a student with a disability, the student is encouraged to meet with a member of the Disability Services staff for an Advising appointment to pick their classes for the upcoming semester. In this way, the student's individual strengths, needs and disability are taken into consideration.
Please note that students must take the English Placement Test in the Learning Center or have achieved a score of 500 or more on the Verbal section of the SAT before picking classes.
7. What else should a student know?
- The burden is on the student to provide current documentation of disability.
- Students should make requests for reasonable accommodations in a timely manner.
- Accommodations are designed to provide students with access to course information and provide a way for students to demonstrate mastery of program and course objectives. Course standards are not altered or waived.
- Requests for accommodations must be made each semester.
- Northampton Community College is able to provide on-campus housing. Requests for specific accommodations in student housing should be made through the Disability Services office.
- Northampton does not provide attendant care. Students are responsible for arranging personal care services and personal transportation.
- There is no fee for Disability Services.
8. Do you have the same services at the Monroe campus as are at the Bethlehem campus?
Yes, Disability Services staff are also available at the Monroe campus several days a week. All you need to do is schedule appointments for individualized support.
9. If I start at the Monroe campus and continue on at the Bethlehem campus, will I still get the same services there?
Absolutely! Students often take courses at both campuses. Once you are eligible for Disability Services, you are able to get the necessary support on either or both campuses.
10. Can all degree programs be completed at the Monroe campus?
No. Currently, 15 degree programs, certificates and specialized diplomas can be completed at the Monroe campus. For the remaining degree programs, students are able to start their program at Monroe and very easily complete the degree program at our Bethlehem campus.
